MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin said he aims to cut his country’s “unacceptable” poverty rate in half over the next six years, in a state of the nation address on Thursday. “[We should] at least halve the poverty rate in the next six years,” Putin said, adding that 20 million Russians currently live below the poverty line compared to 42 million in 2000. The Russian leader used the address to outline policy for a widely anticipated new six-year term in the Kremlin following March 18 presidential elections. Putin called on the Russian interior ministry to investigate “pressure on entrepreneurs” from the authorities and create an atmosphere where businesses could thrive. His victory this month would extend his rule to 2024 and make him the longest serving Russian leader since dictator Joseph Stalin.

Source: Manila Times March 01, 2018 10:52 UTC